text:
In the past year, the whole world has had to adjust to the new normal. We’ve seen many changes being made in order to help flatten the curve and minimize the effects of the global pandemic. One of those changes can be seen in the digital marketing and advertising industries. Namely, many conferences had to be postponed or held virtually in 2020.
However, as the situation has gotten better, it has become possible to hold and attend events that are important for these two industries. One of those conferences is Digital Day, organized by IAB Serbia.
Digital Day took place at the Hilton Belgrade Hotel on June 3 and Brid.TV was in attendance!
That day we had a chance to see many talks, lectures, and discussions that centered around the digital industry. We were reminded once again just how far this industry has come, especially in Serbia.
And there was a lot of action at Digital Day! Participants and guests had a chance to look back at the previous few years, while also having an opportunity to connect with colleagues working in the same field.
Our company was one of the sponsors of this conference and we were quite proud to be! This year marks ten years since the conference was first held — proving how much the industry has expanded in the last decade. As this is a huge milestone for IAB Serbia, we couldn’t be happier to be there and connect with various professionals.
Apart from sponsoring the event, there was another reason for Brid.TV to be proud. Namely, two of our team members participated in the conference and gave a lecture on the history of online video advertising. As our company’s main focus is this area, we had no doubt that our colleagues Nina and Naum would perfectly show how much this landscape is different now than it was years ago.
We would like to thank everyone who participated and came to our presentation! Huge congratulations go out to IAB Serbia for having organized such an important event despite the difficulties. We hope everyone had fun at Digital Day!
If you didn’t have a chance to attend the conference, you can still connect with us and find out how you can start maximizing your ad revenue!


text:
Martha King and her business partner Susan Whitson have come up with an idea about why this time of year reliably brings a boatload of business to their high-end travel agency.
"Our theory is people get together over the holidays and sit around saying 'What do we want to do next year, where do we want to go?'" Whitson says. "This is the 15-hour-day time of year."
The first few months of the year bring in about 40% of the agency's total annual sales, which added up to more than $5 million in 2019, King says.
"We're designing trips for winter getaways, spring break, summer vacation," she says. "A lot of people travel when kids go back to school in the fall, and we're planning those, as well. People are also booking now for the holidays — we have bookings into 2021."
In the age of internet travel searches and online booking, the support of a travel adviser is more important than ever, despite the common misperception that the industry has moved to self-serve and online planning, King says.
"People are overwhelmed by all their options on the internet," she says. "What we want to do it take all that stress and all those decisions off people's plates."
What has changed is the nature of the role travel advisers play for people who rely on them, she says.
"Back in the day, the work was very transactional — you took orders for flights, booked hotels," she says. "This model is completely opposite. We want to be a part of the client's trip from the moment they reach out to us."
And a good travel adviser can make sure the inevitable delays and travel snags don't derail your whole trip, she adds.
"We just had clients going to Australia, and their connecting flights kept getting delayed," she says. "Before they had landed, we knew what was going on, we had changed their transfer and changed their connection."
King & Whitson Travel, launched in 2014, offers a travel-planning tool that surveys the members of a group to understand their interests and then pulls together recommendations based on the results.
"We can pull out their data and that allows us to do long-range planning for clients, and then people are excited, they have their budget, they know what they're doing," she says. "It's a big trend for people to be so much more about wanting to collect experiences and memories rather than things."
Their clientele tends to be people looking for custom-designed experiences, and the connections King and Whitson have cultivated all over the world make that a fun prospect, King says.
She recalls one client who joked that she hoped to run into George Clooney on a trip to Lake Como, Italy, where the actor lives. The travel team couldn't make that happen, but King did make a call to her friends who run a hotel there and arrange to have a George Clooney pillowcase waiting on the bed for her client.
"We joked with her that she would get to sleep with George Clooney," King says. "It's fun to have these relationships. That's the part of the job I love so much."

domain: news


text:
King Street is getting two new storefronts from well-known outerwear brands this year.
Tag: Old Town
Located in Old Town North, the proposed Aspire Alexandria will provide seniors with resort-style amenities, curated programming and a restaurant on the ground floor.
Now in its 34th year, the tradition of Santa coming into town on water skis continues in Old Town.
What started as a chance coincidence has turned into a fashion-forward partnership between two Northern Virginia residents.
The new concept, Barca, will serve wine and Mediterranean-inspired dishes from a bar carved out of shipping containers on Old Town's pier.
The event, being held in Old Town Alexandria, is setting out to celebrate, educate and inspire up-and-coming writers.
A recently conducted survey revealed changes in revenue for businesses along King Street. Here, affected organizations weigh in on the results.
See how Alexandria-based builder Murray Bonitt plans to transform a historic Old Town waterfront warehouse into a haven for the local community.
A series on our favorite dishes in Northern Virginia.
Classic steak house with a twist: Mackie's Bar & Grill now Open in Old Town Alexandria


text:
New York: Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has a memoir coming out this fall that her publisher is calling an “unvarnished take” on her rise to becoming one of the world’s most powerful women.
“My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future” will be published Sept. 28, Portfolio Books announced Mar. 15. Nooyi, 65, will trace her life from her childhood in India to her experiences as an immigrant at Yale University’s business school to her many achievements as the rare woman and person of color in the upper echelons of the corporate world.
The Indian American executive worked at PepsiCo for 24 years, 12 of them as CEO, before stepping down in 2018. While she was CEO, PepsiCo’s revenues grew from $35 billion to $63.5 billion and she became known for promoting such “good for you” snacks as Baked Lay’s potato chips and Naked juices made of fruits and vegetables.
The mother of two children, she also spoke candidly while at PepsiCo of the difficulties in balancing commitments.
“As I wrote ‘My Life in Full,’ I saw how my own story relates to our evolving global economy and how it may inform our progress on better integrating work and family in the years ahead,” Nooyi said in a statement Mar. 15. “I hope this book inspires business leaders, policymakers and all women and men passionate about easing the work-and-family burden to come together and create change.”
Portfolio is an imprint at Penguin Random House. Financial terms for Nooyi’s book were not disclosed. She was represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, whose clients range from former President Barack Obama to Nike co-founder Phil Knight.


text:
In a welcome move, NTUC FairPrice has announced that it is giving up to SGD100 worth of baby and family-related products to families with newborn babies over the next three years.
The FairPrice FairMily Kit will be available to all Singapore citizen babies born between January 2016 and December 2019. The scheme is anticipated to benefit 35,000 babies per year.
In a press statement, FairPrice said, “Each FairMily kit will contain baby and family-related products worth up to SGD100, including APTAMIL follow-on or growing up milk powder from Danone Nutricia – a range of milk powder from Europe specially brought in by FairPrice last year.”
It also added, “The SGD14 million initiative is part of the NTUC Good Start Bundle launched in April, which also includes NTUC Income's health insurance coverage for newborns. Eligible parents can visit www.ntucgoodstart.sg to sign up for their kit.”
During the launch of the programme, Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary-General for NTUC said, “At the community level, efforts have been stepped up to better engage and support families with newborns. NTUC FairPrice’s latest initiative complements these efforts and is aligned to the vision of creating a more pro-family environment where marriage and parenthood are enjoyable and celebrated in Singapore.
He added, “As the largest group of social enterprises in Singapore, NTUC Social Enterprises, we also want to develop a lifelong relationship with our young families early, and support them with relevant products and services at different stages of their lives. The social enterprises remain committed to playing our part to do good for the community, including the needy.”
Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice, said, “The FairPrice FairMily Kit serves to share the joy with parents and celebrate the birth of all new Singaporean babies within the community. At the same time, we recognise that milk powder prices have been rising and we want to do our part to help alleviate some of the costs with this kit.”
The move comes after the Government's call to review import requirements to address the rising prices of milk powder in Singapore.


text:
Three major US publications — Time, New York Times and the Washington Post — have all written about his trademark 'Modi Kurta' as they try to "decode India's new leader" ahead of his September summit with President Barack Obama.
As the wrap dress celebrates four decades in fashion, Kasmin Fernandes finds out what makes it so iconic.
Scientists have for the first time ever solved a 150-year-old evolutionary mystery – the iconic kiwi actually once flew.
French artist Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, one of the world’s most iconic paintings, sold for almost £32 million at an auction here on Monday.
Unless you are a habitually glum soul, chances are you would have thrown in an emoji your conversation: a smiley, a sad face or a shining sun.
The last time punters queued up at a Parel cinema hall for first-day-first-show tickets, Hum Log ruled the airwaves, McDonald’s outlets had yet to swarm Indian shores and the idea of the internet would have generated much bewilderment.
A costume worn by Charlie Chaplin as his iconic Little Tramp character is on sale for $195,000.
Rihanna was honoured with Fashion Icon Award 2014 at the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America awards.


text:
Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' has been pirated 750,000 times
People don’t want to pay for Apple Music to listen to the new album.
Beyoncé's 'Lemonade' could be a permanent Tidal streaming exclusive (updated)
Reports suggest the album might never hit other streaming services.
A newsletter a day keeps the FOMO at bay.
One Page of Apps: 16 random reviews
Welcome to our new, irregularly-published series "One Page of Apps," where we take four to sixteen a...


text:
Internet will dramatically change the luxury industry.
During the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit 2015 ', it was confirmed that the Internet will dramatically change the luxury sector.
One of the last sessions of the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit 2015, the most important forum for the luxury industry that has been held in Monaco, was “Is the Internet the New China?” All panellists agreed that the Internet will dramatically change the luxury business, providing the impetus needed to combat stagnant growth in other areas.
Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of Versace Gianni, pointed out during his speech at this global conference on luxury organized by the Financial Times “Clearly, if you ask me at this time whether this opportunity on the internet can replace China, I would say that the difference in sales is huge, but this is a great opportunity. ”
As China’s contribution to the growth of luxury slows down, the industry must find online development opportunities, according to panellists at the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit, held earlier this week in Monte Carlo.
Internet, besides being a means to increase sales, serves to communicate and relate especially with new generations of consumers, so the long-term investment is profitable.
Versace allocates 20 per cent of its marketing budget to online developments, and has a specialized social media team. “Online platforms are not only for sell, they represent a way to interact with our clients, a way to create intelligence and create future. The luxury lifestyle means ensuring the future and if you do not attract the younger generation, you have no future, “said Ferraris. 70 per cent of consumers carry out online searches when buying products, and it is expected that in five years the number will increase to 90 per cent.
Digital platforms allow brands to connect and interact with consumers; Versace has recently published a song made especially for Donatella Versace by pop star Lady Gaga, as well as the advertising campaign starring the singer. The online store Versace, despite being relatively new and only available in nine countries, is growing 50 per cent annually.
During the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit 2015, Peter Fitzgerald, President of Digital and Innovation Topics for the British Fashion Council and sales director of Google for the UK, talked about the possibilities and opportunities available from using data mining techniques or data mining as 100 billion monthly searches on Google can be used to discover trends and find new ideas for potential business.


text:
China’s sudden investigation into Apple’s major supplier, Foxconn, has raised eyebrows in the tech and global trade sectors. While the move might be seen as a power play, it could potentially backfire on China’s economic interests.
Foxconn and China’s relationship
Foxconn, officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, has been a significant player in China’s electronics manufacturing landscape. Their longstanding harmonious relationship with China is underscored by the fact that they are one of the nation’s largest employers. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, recent tax and land-use probes into Foxconn’s subsidiaries have cast a shadow over this relationship. The reason behind these investigations remains speculative, but analysts suggest it might be China’s way of expressing discontent with Foxconn’s diversification efforts, especially its shift towards India and other manufacturing hubs.
Potential political undertones
Another angle points to the political aspirations of Foxconn’s founder, Terry Gou. As he steps into Taiwan’s presidential race, China might be using this probe as a subtle warning. The current Taiwan presidency, held by the China-skeptic Democratic Progressive Party, could be threatened if votes get divided among pro-China independent candidates like Gou.
Implications for the tech industry
This investigation could inadvertently push manufacturers and their clients, including giants like Apple, to look beyond China for their operations. The unpredictability of China’s policies might deter businesses that once saw the nation as a stable economic partner. The symbiotic relationship between Apple and China, often referred to as “Chimerica,” might be at risk if such key players feel threatened.
Shift in electronics manufacturing
China remains a dominant force in electronics manufacturing, but there’s a noticeable shift. The percentage of U.S. smartphones imported from China has decreased from 85% in 2021 to around 75% recently. Factors like the Trump-era tariffs, China’s strict Covid-19 lockdowns, and geopolitical tensions have prompted companies to diversify their operations. Foxconn’s investments in China have dwindled since 2018, with a notable increase in iPhone production in India.
The cost of diversification
Moving operations out of China isn’t without its challenges. Establishing new facilities in countries like Vietnam and India requires significant capital. Foxconn’s capital expenditures saw a substantial increase in 2021 and 2022. Despite the economic reasons to stay in China, political and security concerns might accelerate the shift away from the country.
In conclusion, while China’s intentions behind the Foxconn probe remain unclear, the repercussions on the global tech industry and China’s own economic interests are evident. Only time will tell if this move will be beneficial or detrimental to China’s standing in the global market.


text:
Treasury advisers are working to line up $40 billion in financing for General Motors and Chrysler—5 times the size of any previous bankruptcy loan—just in case the two automakers need it, the Wall Street Journal reports. While efforts continue to restructure the companies by other means, the administration is speaking to as many as 70 lenders—including Citigroup and JPMorgan, themselves recipients of bailout cash—to provide government-backstopped financing for operations during a Chapter 11 restructuring.
Part of the proposed debtor-in-possession loan would be used to pay back the $17.4 billion GM and Chrysler received last year. GM says it needs $30 billion in total aid, or $16.6 billion more than it already received. Chrysler needs $5 billion more. Both companies insist the bankruptcy option could cost the government as much as $125 billion, as Chapter 11 filings are rarely good for business.


text:
Number of internet searches for terms related to air pollution has leapt up in the past 10 years, study shows
The number of UK internet searches relating to air pollution has skyrocketed in the last 10 years, according to new research from Nissan. The electric carmaker compared the popularity of the search...
Party calls for green jobs blitz, as it launches month-long consultation that seeks views from businesses, industry groups, unions, workers, and campaigners on specific measures that can be taken to kick start a green recovery.
Plus all the top green business news from around the world this week
Engine marker pledges to boost low-carbon technology R&D and reach net zero across its operations by the end of the decade, as it announces plans to cut 3,000 jobs across the UK amid coronavirus crisis.
Joel Makower explores how the sustainability movement is maintaining momentum as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold


text:
Sylvain Charlebois says we must balance the need for sustainability with the realities of our interconnected global food supply chain, recognizing that a comprehensive approach and respectful collaboration will yield the most fruitful results.
Popular treats come in smaller portions, exacerbated by the rising cost of production due to factors like soaring cocoa prices and labor disputes. Despite these challenges, many Canadians are expected to increase their overall Halloween spending, with a focus on costumes, says Sylvain Charlebois.
Food inflation in Canada has decreased to 5.9 percent, but there is widespread skepticism among Canadians about the reliability of this data, with many relying on their instincts rather than official statistics. This skepticism is fuelled by recent events says Sylvain Charlebois.
Sylvain Charlebois discusses a new study that sheds light on how Canadians are diversifying their shopping destinations, opting for store brands, and making dietary compromises to navigate the complexities of higher food prices while prioritizing their nutritional well-being.
Sylvain Charlebois discusses California's decision to raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour, which has ignited a debate about the potential consequences including increased automation and the overall transformation of the fast-food industry.
Sylvain Charlebois says that concerns are being raised about potential increases to food losses and food prices, while at the same time Canada's unique logistical and trade realities are being overlooked.
Sylvain Charlebois says that Canada relies more on corporate goodwill, with a less proactive approach to antitrust concerns -- but as Canadians become more concerned about food pricing, the country may need to reevaluate its approach to foster competition in the food sector.
Sylvain Charlebois says that Dollarama's unique business model with low operational costs and strong supplier-retailer relationships is revolutionizing affordable grocery shopping in Canada, while challenging traditional grocery store norms.
Sylvain Charlebois says that the acquisition aims to rejuvenate Subway's fortunes, grappling with declining sales, public relations challenges, and franchisee concerns, presenting a bold opportunity for transformation under Roark's strategic direction.


text:
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G passes through the FCC with support for 25W wired charging
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy A34 has been spotted at the FCC recently, getting yet another necessary certification for its launch, which should happen very soon.
The device is revealed by the FCC process to have support for 25W wired charging. It was also recently given the green light by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
According to a benchmark run of a prototype A34, the phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 1080 SoC. However, this may vary from market to market, with some places presumably getting an Exynos 1380 instead.
Based on previous rumors, we expect the handset to rock triple rear cameras with a 48MP main shooter, a 13MP front-facing camera, a 6.5-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display, and a 5,000mAh battery. It will reportedly be offered in four color versions.


text:
Wearables. No one actually requested for them however they are all generation firms appear concerned with in this day and age. LG, Sony, Apple, Samsung and Asus all have merchandise out on marketplace, and now it seems like HTC shall be becoming a member of their ranks too.
According to Bloomberg, the smartwatch shall be launched across the time of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (2-5 March), in conjunction with a brand new smartphone (codenamed the M9) providing stepped forward digital camera and audio options.
HTC has been running on a wearable software for rather a while now. Reports past due final yr claimed the corporate had confirmed off a few devices to business analysts and shops (no press have been allowed, on the other hand).
The watch will virtually unquestionably run Android Wear and, judging through what stories are claiming, is more likely to center of attention closely on, watch for it… health, which might imply no conventional timepiece-styling and a variety of gross plastics and a wrap-round-taste layout very similar to Samsung’s Gear Fit.
“I spokesperson for the Taiwanese telephone maker informed VentureBeat that the brand new wearable can be worn at the wrist,” reports The Telegraph, “suggesting it might be a few type of health tracker, however stated that it will be very other from anything else recently available on the market.
HTC is it sounds as if taking a look at “rising markets” with this product. The corporate additionally stated it's going to be taking a unique strategy to wearables as smartly.
Reports from past due-2014 stated that HTC had canned its wearable venture in gentle of an excessive amount of festival from the likes of Apple and Samsung in 2015. Whatever is occurring the corporate is sending very combined messages approximately its wearable intentions…


text:
If you’re following CEO Tim Cook, then it won’t take you by surprise to know that the iPhone may no longer exist.
The organization has quit revealing iPhone unit deals figures, and rather speaks increasingly about its developing base of dynamic gadgets.
Apple says that these gadgets can be utilized to press out more income through its digital services like Apple Music, App Store deals and additional iCloud storage.
Wait, there’s more!
It’s not just about those membership subscriptions. Apple has made a few moves as of late that flag its getting ready to move past the iPhone in different routes, for example,Artificial Intelligence, the developing smart home market and advanced health monitoring.
Overview Of What’s Coming
Apple dropped the biggest hint that it’s going to intensely put resources into enhancing AI when it poached Google’s head of AI John Giannandrea far from the organization a year ago.
Within a couple of months, Apple redesigned its AI and machine learning divisions under Giannandrea, and it most as of late elevated him to its official group.
Notwithstanding the rearrangement around Giannandrea, Apple’s long-term head of Siri, Bill Stasior, has left the organization, The Information announced.
The most prompt change to Apple’s development procedure will originate from a large group of new membership administrations propelling as ahead of schedule as this spring.
Apple intends to offer memberships to gushing administrations from systems like Starz, CBS and Showtime through its implicit TV application on iPhones, iPads and the Apple TV.
Netflix and Hulu won’t be included.
Even though Apple’s plans are falling behind Amazon and Google– to control house appliances using voice control.
They recently hired Sam Jadallah, former CEO of smart lock company Otto, to run the division.
Apple’s smart home ambitions will use iOS, as always.
Home app that lets you control hundreds of third-party connected gadgets like light switches, cameras and door locks.
Apple’s self-driving vehicle venture, Project Titan, is one of the greatest open privileged insights in the tech business.
In spite of the fact that the organization presently can’t seem to discharge an item identified with self-driving vehicles.
Cook said in a Bloomberg meet in 2017 that it’s the “mother of all AI ventures.”
Nonetheless, a lot of different adversaries are a long ways in front of Apple in self-driving innovation.
Most outstandingly Waymo, the Alphabet organization that spun out of Google’s self-driving vehicle venture.
I am personally a fan of apple and wish them the best. I secretly wish for iPhone to exist as long as I live.
Comment below and tell us if you are sad or going to switch to android soon?


text:
MN Forecast - search results
If you're not happy with the results, please do another search
Aromatherapy Devices Market Size by Type (Ultrasound, Nebulization, Evaporation, and Heat), Application (Relaxation, Skin & Hair Care, Pain Treatment)
Advertising giant Omnicom Group has promoted Daryl Simm, chief executive officer of the company's media agency group, to the newly created role of president and chief operating officer of the larger advertising holding company.
Pune, Maharashtra, India, Nov 1, 2021 (Wiredrelease) MarketResearch.Biz -: The Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Ecosystem Market Research Report by Marketresearch.biz is compelling...
News 12 forecasters say it will see showers all day today as the Nicholas-inspired remains find their way to New Jersey.
Keywords: Forecasting,Analysis,Forecasting, Analysis,,,,news,,,,,and-united-states-wireless-infrastructure-market-8224,,,
According to the new market research report Medical Robots Market by Solution OR Supply Data Management Communication Anesthesia Information Management Performance Management Delivery Mode On-Premise Cloud-Based End User Region Global Forecast to 2025, published by MarketsandMarkets, the global ...
TribLIVE's daily and weekly email newsletters deliver the news and information you want right to your inbox. Forecasters predict rain totals...
In its report on financial institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, S&P said the control of COVID-19 remains a key risk to the economy.
Sydney's entire lucrative Fall Carnival is being pushed back by seven days after heavy rain forced the Golden Slipper to be relocated in Rosehill.


text:
TransferWise preps for 2021 IPO
London-based online money transfer service, TransferWise, has asked investment banks to pitch in the new year for roles on an impending initial public offering (IPO).
Key details of the company’s prospective public markets debut have yet to be finalised.
London is said to be the preferred listing destination of its founders, Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Kaarmann, as reported on Sky News.
Goldman Sachs is understood to be well-placed for a leading role on the deal.
A special purpose acquisition company (Spac) is also likely to be an option for TransferWise given its popularity by tech companies this year. Paysafe recently listed on the New York Stock Exchange at a $9 billion valuation through a Spac.
TransferWise was valued at $5 billion (£3.7bn) in a secondary fundraising just five months ago. An IPO is unlikely to take place until well into 2021.
Insiders say its valuation is likely to be in excess of the figure achieved in July, even before any new funds are included from the sale of new equity.
The London Stock Exchange and Downing Street are desperate to convince TransferWise’s founders to list in the UK.
According to Sky News, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, hosted a call on 18 December, with the bosses of some of the UK’s “most prized tech companies”. This included Deliveroo, Oxford Nanopore and Revolut – as part of a charm offensive to sell the City’s credentials to the sector.
Kaarmann, TransferWise’s chief executive, was among those in attendance.
Some of those who joined the call, such as Darktrace, Deliveroo and Trustpilot, have already hired bankers in preparation for going public
TransferWise is seen as a particularly important company to persuade to float in London because of its rapid international growth and record of innovation in key areas of financial services.
The business employs well over 2000 people, boasts more than 9 million customers and has £4.5 billion in monthly cross-border transaction volumes.
In July, D1 Capital Partners, which has placed substantial bets on some of the world’s biggest tech companies bought a $200 million stake from other TransferWise investors.
That deal came in the wake of TransferWise securing a licence from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer investment products.
However, the firm has no plans to become a fully-fledged bank that would compete with the likes of Monzo, Revolut or Starling, in the UK.
A flotation would make both of the founders “paper billionaires” if estimates of the size of their shareholdings in TransferWise are correct. They are thought to own roughly 40% between them.
While they have been open about the idea of an IPO being a natural long-term option for the company, they have made it clear that there has been no pressure on them to accelerate their plans.
The surge in tech flotations, particularly in the US, is said to have persuaded the founders and some of their shareholders that it is an optimal time to go public.


text:
Japan’s Spread Co. Builds the Biggest Automated Lettuce Farm
Spread Co. is building what it claims will be the world's largest fully automated lettuce factory in Kyoto. Automated agriculture promises to save money, increase yields, and be useful anywhere.
(September 11, 2015)
Industrial Automation Acquisitions Show Bullish Market
Deals between Robotnik and Smokie Robotics, Lincoln Electric and Rimrock, and Hypotherm and Jabez try to take advantage of automation synergies.
(August 06, 2015)
Apple Orchards Ripe for this Robot Picker
He is pleased with the progress that’s been made and optimistic that a prototype could be commercialized in the near future.
(July 23, 2015)
Autonomous Solutions Grows Despite Mineral Price Slide
ASI, which creates add-ons for vehicle automation, looks to fleet control software for long-term growth.
(May 27, 2015)
Labor Shortages Prompt Strawberry Picking Automation
Strawberries aren't the easiest fruit to pick -- for humans or robots -- but the industry sees value in automation.
(May 05, 2015)
Spanish Cluster Tries to Lower Precision Farming Costs
At RoboBusiness Europe 2015, one panelist explained why industrial automation is needed to feed the world.
(April 30, 2015)
Meet Me in Milan: RoboBusiness Europe 2015
At this year's conference, your intrepid reporter hopes to learn about current challenges and successes of the European robotics industry.
(April 24, 2015)
Clearpath Gets Funds for Materials Handling
Clearpath Robotics has raised $11.2 million to hire developers and reach into manufacturing.
(April 21, 2015)
GuardBot Rolls From Martian Plans to Sentry Duty
The round GuardBot robot has a rugged design and potential military and civilian applications.
(April 03, 2015)
Australian Efforts to Hone Robotic Vision Get Government Support
The Australian Centre for Robotic Vision is working to improve machine vision for tasks such as fruit picking and environmental monitoring.
(March 25, 2015)
Careful Robotic Hand Picks Its Way Through Technical, Competitive Challenges
A robotic hand developed at TU Delft copies biological movement to nimbly handle fruit for the growing international market.
(March 21, 2015)
Can Agribotics Attract Young People Back to the Farm?
Lure of high-tech agriculture could reverse centuries of urban migration
(February 04, 2015)
Modular Robot Platform Harvests Multiple High-value Crops
5-year EU program successfully combines sensing, manipulation, production and harvesting into single platform
(January 30, 2015)


text:
There’s a tendency for one year’s stock-market dogs to recover the following year. See full story.
Watch out, millennials — Generation Z is poised to dominate homeownership
Many economists believe that more members of Gen-Z will become homeowners than millennials. See full story.
Third-quarter GDP left at 2.1% — stronger consumer spending offset by weaker business investment
The pace of growth in the U.S. economy was left at 2.1% in the third quarter, as strong consumer spending was offset by weaker business investment in inventories. See full story.
Buttigieg, Warren get into heated clash over ‘billionaires in wine caves’
Who should pick the next president of the United States? Not “billionaires in wine caves,” said Elizabeth Warren during Thursday’s Democratic debate, provoking a fiery response from Pete Buttigieg. See full story.
Controversial new Bank of England governor selected to succeed Mark Carney
The Bank of England has picked Andrew Bailey as its safe choice to succeed Mark Carney as governor of the Bank of England, in what some will consider a controversial appointment. See full story.
Scammers are increasingly targeting travelers. See full story.


text:
Automattic, the company behind Web publishing platform WordPress.com, today announced the expansion of its VIP Featured Partner Program to include interactive agencies (companies like 10up, Alley Interactive and Voce are already on board).
In addition, the company announced a number of new platform partners, including Facebook, Flipboard, PostRelease, TinyPass and Zemanta.
Participating agencies and technology partners will have the opportunity to promote their services and features to large-scale sites that are part of the WordPress.com VIP program. Clients include NY Observer, GigaOm, NBC, CBS and Pando Daily.
Automattic says those sites generate 1 billion page views a month in aggregate.
Currently, 16.7 percent of the top million sites run on the WordPress platform, still according to the company.
Companies interested in partnering with Automattic can apply here.


text:
Restart: researchers and industry tackle the impacts of COVID-19
RMIT researchers have been quick to respond to COVID-19 and the wave of change it has brought, but they’re also listening to industry and the community about new priorities.
Engineering students shine at EnGenius 2020 despite pandemic
A new project that uses artificial intelligence to maintain ageing port infrastructure is one of many dynamic ideas featured at EnGenius, RMIT’s annual event showcasing final year engineering students’ projects and products.
Student's eco-friendly face mask impresses in global competition
An impending waste-crises from disposable masks has driven Arya Pawar to design a prototype next-generation face mask, which has been shortlisted in the global XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask challenge.
Art in lockdown: Student curators take gallery online
Students have taken the reins for RMIT Gallery’s latest exhibition, curating an entirely online experience that explores creativity, inspiration and identity through a year of social isolation.


text:
May 17, 2023
Kuala Lumpur, May 17 -In partnership with PPKWK – MADCASH (Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kendiri Wanita dan Keluarga), U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur is proud to present the Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp (GEIB), an initiative that equips women entrepreneurs with the tools to start new businesses, the skills for business management, and the strategies for creating value through innovation in the global business landscape.
The GEIB is the latest initiative of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing Wanita Empowered campaign, which seeks to promote women’s economic empowerment through three pillars: improving access to education, advancing economic parity, and addressing barriers to equality.
Cultural Affairs Officer Katherine Diop emphasized, “Our goal with GEIB is to empower women entrepreneurs to enhance their businesses through innovation and reach their entrepreneurial aspirations. We are laying out a vision where women from all backgrounds can meaningfully and equally contribute to economic growth and global prosperity.”
From July 2023 to June 2024, the GEIB will train women entrepreneurs in the Klang Valley through 18 online modules with esteemed faculty from the Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. Participants will have the opportunity to dive deep into topics such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how businesses can tap into it, creating a business culture for growth, social entrepreneurship, and leveraging value chains as a competitive advantage.
PPKWK – MADCASH President, Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin said “as an NGO that works with women entrepreneurs, it is timely for us to roll out this Bootcamp to support more businesswomen with the latest resources and advancements in entrepreneurial education. Our women entrepreneurs’ collective impact on the economy will continue to grow as more entrepreneurs join the marketplace.”
Applications are currently open for 20 women entrepreneurs to join GEIB. The U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur and PPKWK – MADCASH welcome and encourage applications from women of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, disability, or socioeconomic status. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for growth and learning and ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous world.
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur and PPKWK-MADCASH also welcome applications from up-and- coming women entrepreneurs, interested in starting and expanding their small businesses, for the fourth cycle of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). Launched in 2019, AWE is a U.S. embassy-funded exchange program that gives women the knowledge, networks, and access they need to launch and expand successful businesses. To apply, please visit https://bit.ly/GetgGrowing.
For further enquiries, please contact Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin at firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
The fourth annual Ultimate Home and Garden Show was held July 8 and 9 at the Strawberry Festival Grounds Grimes Hall
The fourth annual Ultimate Home and Garden Show returned to Plant City with something new.
The show, held at the Strawberry Festival Grounds Grimes Hall July 8 and 9, was rebranded with Shabby Chic vendors and Home Decor Market on top of the 100-plus home vendors and Florida Licensed Contractors. It also had a plant expo to add more diversity to the event.
Veteran vendors like Kay Tonini, founder of Vintage Journey Market, said the addition of Shabby Chic will only continue to make the attendance for the event grow.
“You can go to Home Goods and get a knock-off but the quality won’t be half as good,” Tonini said. “You can just do so many things and people categorize home shows as simply coming to get your roof updated, but it’s so much more.”
Attendees could purchase items ranging from furniture to jewelry cleaners, and mingle with experts for advice on home remodeling and repair.
Though the event was advertised until 5 p.m. both days, vendors had begun to pack up by 3 p.m. Sunday due to dwindling crowds.
One vendor, Amy Plant, founder of Amy’s Things, which specializes in pallet wood and repurposed wood signs, said it was unlike what she had expected.
“This is our first big show, we’ve done a few smaller ones here and there,” Plant said. “It was a lot slower than we expected… Most people I would say didn’t come here to buy, they were looking for ideas.”
Andre Corriveau, a vendor for Tampa Woodcrafter, was one of the many first-time vendors at the event. He said the customers seemed to enjoy the show in general and that many stopped to admire his hand-carved cutting boards, which require several days to make.
“For my first show, I enjoyed it,” Corriveau said. “I met a lot of interesting people and had the opportunity to see a lot of local artists.”


text:
In August 2019, Nigeria unexpectedly closed all of its land borders with Niger, Cameroon, and Benin, to stop all movement of goods, except oil, from import or export. The Nigeria-Benin border closure was made without any formal communication with government officials of neighboring countries.
The closure is part of Nigeria’s economic strategy to tackle the smuggling of goods across the border, to increase local production and protect local producers, as outlined in its 2017-2020 Economic and Recovery Growth Plan. Smuggling activities across the Nigerian-Benin border account for about 110 billion nairas ($303,614,300 United States dollars) in trade revenue loss every year.
However, smuggling is nothing new along these borders, with historical roots from British and French colonial authorities, when colonial rivals implemented trade policies to protect local industries from external competition, which exacerbated illicit trade activities across the border.
Activating a prolonged trade restriction to solve the recurring issue of smuggling will have a negative economic effect on Nigeria and puts a damper on Africa's much-anticipated intra-regional trade investment agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area, known as AfCFTA, slated to begin in July 2020.
AfCFTA — projected to add a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than $3.4 trillion USD to Africa's economy — focuses on creating a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African Customs Union. It also intends to expand intra-African trade through better harmonization and coordination of trade liberalization and facilitation.
Impact on Nigeria, neighboring countries and Africa
The border closure has spiked food prices, causing inflation to increase to 11.24 percent, the highest level since June 2019, and it is expected to rise even higher.
When Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, one of his major goals was to improve the growth of the agriculture sector to decrease dependency on the oil sector, enacting a policy to restrict the Nigerian Central Bank from distributing funds to facilitate the importation of food, especially rice.
Additionally, the border closure will further decrease Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign direct investment. The World Bank ranked Nigeria as one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to ease of trading across borders, ranking 182 out of 190 countries.
As expected, Benin will be heavily hit by the closure because of its informal trade dependence on Nigeria, which accounts for 70 percent of Benin's GDP. However, it is important to note that apart from the formal importation of petroleum from Nigeria, Benin also imports poultry, rice and vegetable oil accounting for about $100 million USD in revenue to Nigeria’s GDP.
Nigeria stands to lose this significant source of revenue should it continue to close its borders to Benin and other African countries.
Leaders in Ghana are growing impatient with the border closure, due to the negative economic consequences on their economies, which could result in potential political tensions between the two countries. Nigeria could stand to lose about $300 million USD in export revenue from Ghana if Ghana retaliates by imposing similar trade restrictions on Nigeria. Ghana depends on the Abidjan-Lagos Highway for overland access to markets in West Africa, which has been closed due to the Nigerian-Benin border closure.
However, the Nigerian government recently made an announcement indicating an extension of the border closure until mid-2020, prompting Ghana’s Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, to condemn the plan, citing risk to the entire Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]. Nkrumah said:
It is very important for ECOWAS as a bloc to engage Nigeria on the closure of the borders because moves like this have a way of negatively impacting the West African Economic Integration project.
The Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) has petitioned to the government of Ghana to also close its trade borders in retaliation to what they call, “unfair treatment” from Nigeria.
Nigeria is a key regional player in the economic growth of West Africa and facilitates the growth of informal trade across the region. This border closure is expected to affect the informal sector which represents about 50 percent of West Africa’s combined GDP.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama recently announced a list of strict conditions that all ECOWAS members must meet in order to be accepted as Nigeria’s trade partners.
The border closure and the list of strict conditions send a negative signal to the world and other African governments about Africa’s commitment to boost intra-African trade activities by at least 53 percent through AfCFTA. The treaties intend to facilitate smooth intra-regional trade to ensure regional growth, but Nigeria's trade restrictions fail to achieve this.
A recent article published by the World Bank Group asserts:
Nigeria’s policy of food import substitution, a form of industrial policy, is often at odds with the idea of regional integration…The AfCFTA will only succeed if member countries make the regional strategy part of their national policy and proactively address the tensions that arise between the two. Countries should find the sweet spot that reinforces national economic goals and ensures maximum gains from increased integration, looking beyond a static assessment of their priorities.
A way forward for Nigeria
Nigeria’s border closure strategy is not new. Nigeria closed its border with Benin in 1984 and 2003 for the same reason – to curb smuggling — but never succeeded.
In 1987, Nigeria's military government banned barley, an essential product for beer production. The aim, like that of the current rice ban, was to arrest the value of the country's currency, reduce forex reserve depletion and ignite economic growth.
However, the barley ban did the exact opposite. David Hundeyin of the African Report asserts that it destroyed Nigeria's “local beer industry” resulting in the sacking of “thousands of Nigerians” workers and “delivered almost 90 percent of the local beer market” to foreign-dominated beer makers.
To solve the recurring smuggling menace across borders, Nigeria needs to create a national or regional institutional framework that can monitor and ensure compliance with respect to verification, certification, and monitoring of the rules or agreements either in ECOWAS or the AfCFTA and fix its dysfunctional economic policies.
As many economists have proposed, Nigeria should take effective measures to diversify the economy away from overreliance on the oil sector and agriculture, by implementing more market-friendly measures that encourage foreign and local investments into other revenue-generating sectors.


text:
The Sony NGP, or Next Generation Portable, will hit shelves this year, Sony reps have announced. So how will the NGP stack up against the Nintendo 3DS?
Oregon Trail, the strategy game first launched in 1971, is finally coming to Facebook. So how will the Facebook edition of The Oregon Trail stack up to the original?
Facebook phone rumors have been percolating since late last year. But a London site insists the Facebook phone is the real deal, twice over.
The Mark Zuckerberg Facebook fan page was hacked this week. So who is the mysterious prankster that managed to steal Mark Zuckerberg's identity?
Oscar nominations have been announced, and things are looking pretty good for The Social Network, a flick about the founding of Facebook. The movie did not grab the most Oscar nominations this year, but landed in several key categories.
PSP 2, the purported successor to Sony's popular PSP gaming device, could get a 3G antenna.
Thanks to Pentalobe screws, you'll need a special tool to open up new iPhone 4 models – but what the heck are Pentalobe screws?
Google Offers is reportedly set to go head-to-head with voucher sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial. But to succeed, Google will have to play catch-up – and fast.
Verizon iPhone hits the market in February. Some analysts think this second iPhone could draw consumers away from the rising Android army.
A Windows-compatible version of the popular Microsoft Kinect peripheral is reportedly in the works.
iOS 4.3, the latest mobile operating system from Apple, won't get four- and five-finger multitouch capability. But iOS 4.3 could be step forward for Apple in terms of social media.
Create your own Google logo, such as today's Paul Cézanne doodle, and you could win thousands of dollars.
Nintendo 3DS will retail in the US for $250, Nintendo announced today.
Google celebrates Paul Cézanne with a painterly 172nd birthday doodle. But who was Paul Cézanne? How did his work change modern art?
Verizon is offering a $200 gift card to consumers that want to trade up from their recently purchased smartphone to a new Verizon iPhone. But there is a catch.
Angry Birds is already a video game – and a board game. And soon, Angry Birds will be a cartoon.


text:
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Mariano's Fresh Market here, the Chicago-area outpost of Roundy's Supermarkets, has introduced the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System, NuVal said Thursday.
Milwaukee-based Roundy's plans to roll out the system to additional locations later this year, NuVal said. The system, developed in 2008 by scientists and doctors as part of a joint venture between private-label cooperative Topco Associates and Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., gives scores ranging from 1 to 100 to all food products based on their nutrient value.
Among the chains that have adopted the system are Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Meijer Inc., and United Supermarkets. Last year Roundy's Wisconsin rival Skogen's Festival Foods rolled it out to its 13 locations.
At Mariano's, a new, service-oriented banner Roundy's is seeking to expand in Chicago, scores are posted on shelves and on signs throughout the store.
"Our goal at Mariano's is to help our customers shop well, eat well and live well," said Robert Mariano, Roundy's chairman chief executive officer. "We believe NuVal helps us achieve that goal by helping our customers find the nutritional value in more than 21,000 products on our store shelves."


text:
|Does A-B still make beer?
Don't want a Budweiser? Try their
new B to E. Still not happy? Don't
worry the director of innovation at
A-B's domestic brewing subsidiary
has just announced the creation of
"Tilt" a raspberry flavored drink that
takes many of its cues from beer.
Tilt targets 21 to 27 year old males
who, according to Mic Zavarella,
production director, want a
beverage that "helps them make
the transition to play from work."
(note - He did not explain what
that actually means.)
Tilt is a blend of caffeine, ginseng,
and guarana - a paste derived from
a Brazilian fruit. Each 16 ounce
serving of Tilt, packaged in
sleek, aluminum cans- contains
6.6% of alcohol by volume.
Cans will be sold individually.
Each can contains about 70
miligrams of caffeine, which is about
27% more caffeine than in a 12-oz.
can of Mountain Dew, the soft drink
famed for it's high caffeine content.
18 Year old Drinking age?
Dennis Hawver, seeking the
Republican nomination next year
for governorof Kansas,
has proposed lowering the state's
legal beer drinking age to 18.
The drinking age is determined by
individual states howerver all have
been 21 since the 1980's when the
federal government pressured them
into raising minimums or lose
Feature News from beernexus.com
Insulated Beer Cans
The world's first insulated beer can is now being
used by Labatt Brewing Company. Labatt is now
adorning cans of its Blue Pilsener with a "Cool2Go"
insulated shrink sleeve made in conjunction with
DuPont Chemical. The wrap has a thin, thermal
barrier that protects the beer from condensation and
DuPont says the wrap is made by placing a polymer
insulation between two layers of its Melxnex film,
which results in the thermal barrier. Once chilled the
insulated wrap will keep the beer colder longer.
The cans have just been released in the Canadian
market and are being promoted as the Labatt "Blue
Bavarian Dirndls Saved
Bavarians breathed a collective sigh of relief this
week when they learned legislation would not force
barmaids in beer gardens to cover up. Under the
EU's Optical Radiation Directive, employers of staff
who work outdoors in high risk occupations must
ensure they cover up against the risk of sunburn. It
was believed that the law could mean the demise of
the dirndl, a dress and apron with a tight, very low
cut top, that Bavarian barmaids typically wear.
Officials after lengthy discussion concluded that
working in a beer garden is not considered a high
risk occupation, at least for sun exposure.
Craft Beer Sales Soar
The Brewers Association estimates that craft beer
sales were up over 7 % in the first half of 2005.
Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch's second quarter net
income fell 9.9% as the brewer suffered from volume
declines amid stiffer competition from rivals.


text:
Jack Ma’s Ant Group has raised 60 billion yuan ($8.96 billion) from five mutual funds sold on its payments and lifestyle platform Alipay for its potential record-breaking IPO.
The funds, managed by some of China’s biggest investment companies, were sold by individual investors after a slew of advertising and marketing events, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal today.
However, investors had to agree to “lock up their money” for 18 months, according to the news outlet. Considering restrictions in place by Chinese regulators, each of the five funds informed investors that it may invest as much as 10% of its assets in Ant Group.
The news comes as Ant Group is pursuing a massive dual-listing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai's Nasdaq-like Star Market. The big listing would not only have a chance to shatter its parent Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 09988) $25 billion offering in 2014 but also exceed Saudi Aramco's record-breaking $29.4 billion IPO of January 2020. The fintech arm of Alibaba has already received the green-light from Shanghai but still awaits approval from Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the company could have a problem on its hands. Ant Group, along with Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings (HKEX: 07000; OTC: TCEHY), could potentially face restrictions in the United States due to national security concerns over their digital payment systems.
Senator Rubio Says U.S. Should Move to Delay Ant’s IPO
While less than 5% of Ant Revenues come from the U.S., Senator Marco Rubio said that the Trump administration should try to postpone Ant’s IPO.
“It’s outrageous that Wall Street is rewarding the Chinese Communist Party’s blatant crackdown on Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy by orchestrating Ant Group’s IPO on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges,” The U.S. republican Senator said in a statement to Reuters late last week.
He added, “The Administration should take a serious look at the options available to delay Ant Group’s IPO.”
In response, Trump could sign a new executive order banning the payment platforms, similar to his atttempts to ban TikTok and WeChat, both of which have found resistance in the U.S. courts.
It’s too premature to say if Washington will attempt to delay Ant’s IPO—but the development is worth monitoring.


text:
Friday June 1, 2012 : NEW SPANISH LICENCE HOLDERS (Update)
Operator and software awards on deadline
The Spanish General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling kept to its June 1 deadline with the award today of a number of licences to operate in the newly legislated Spanish market.
bwin.party digital entertainment confirmed receipt of its licence authorising the company to operate online sports betting, poker, bingo, blackjack and roulette which will be offered on three online websites namely; bwin.es, Party Poker.es and a new localised brand Binguez.es.
The company is aiming for a market leading position for all five products leveraging on brand awareness it created with its sponsorship of Real Madrid. bwin will launch all three brands on a new, fully integrated gaming platform.
Also jockeying for a top position in the market will be 888 Holdings whose licence award covers online casino, poker, bingo and sports betting.
Brian Mattingley, chief executive officer of 888, commented: "Spain is an important market for 888, accounting for 5 percent of our revenue in 2011".
New licencee Prima Networks Spain plc (PNS), powered by Microgaming, is authorised to supply its software to a number of the operators in the Spanish market.
The company will provide a wide mix of products including Flash Casino, Download Casino, Poker and Bingo.
JAXX SE Group's Spanish subsidiary will offer poker, roulette, blackjack, bingo and other casino games on Net Bet.es following the award of its licence. The company expects to go live within the month of June.
Further licence awards are reported to include Ladbrokes, Bet365, William Hill, PokerStars, GTech G2, Codere and Cirsa.


text:
Although not included with the 2015 e-Golf hatchback, which will be available in the fourth quarter of 2014, wireless charging could be an available technology once the 2017 electric models hit the showroom floor.
According to a recent interview with Herbert Ruholl, Volkswagen’s technical leader for electrified vehicles, wireless, or inductive, charging stations are in a state of "pre-development." Ruholl pointed to the fact that there is no standardization of "corded" plug-in electric vehicles when it comes to charging stations.
"If you have different cars in your household or in your company you do not want to buy such an inductive charging system for each car. You can expect it in more-or-less three years when we are ready to bring it into the market,” said Ruholl.
Wireless charging kits are currently available for the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt through third-party manufacturer Plugless for approximately $3,000.


text:
Ahead of Apple’s expected unveiling of its first AR/VR headset, the rumour mill has been buzzing with speculation for some time now, but the most recent reports have peaked recently. It appears that CEO Tim Cook recently teased AR and VR lovers with a subtle teaser, even though Apple has been mute about its plans.
Apple isn’t known for dropping indications about new hardware in the form of tweets. However, even though Apple has been enhancing its support for AR technology through the ARKit, the company has yet to announce anything regarding its speculated AR/VR headgear.
Nonetheless, Cook’s recent interview with China Daily may have shifted the balance of power. When it comes to augmented reality and virtual reality (AR and VR), many Chinese consumers are excited about the possibilities, but others are disappointed by the current state of the business. She then asked Cook what he thinks are the most important aspects of a successful augmented reality product.
In response to the question, Cook noted that the foundation of AR and VR technology should be about enriching human experiences, before pointing out that there are currently more than 14,000 ARKit apps in the App Store. While Cook did not confirm the existence of the Apple AR/VR headset, the CEO remarked, “We’re still in the very early innings of how this technology will progress.” I’m giddy with anticipation for what lies ahead in this new sector. “Stay tuned and you’ll see what we have to offer,” he says.
It may not be a full confirmation, but it looks that this is the best response Apple can give to AR and VR aficionados until it is ready to make an official announcement of its suspected headset.
According to previous claims, Apple has been working on an AR/VR headset for years. However, Bloomberg claimed last month that the headset had already been shown to the Apple board, indicating that the business had already accomplished a significant milestone. This could imply that the product is nearing its “advanced stage” of development, and as a result, its release could be imminent.
Apple was also said to have obtained a trademark for “realityOS,” which fueled speculations that it could be the company’s operating system for its AR/VR headset. It raised anticipation that realityOS would be announced at WWDC earlier this month, but that didn’t happen.


text:
Asda takes on high street jewellers
Shoppers accustomed to televisions and designer jeans at knockdown prices alongside their fruit and veg can now look forward to a sparkling new line as Asda plans to take on the high street jewellery trade as well.
It has started selling top-of-the-range diamond engagement rings for £499. A sterling silver and diamond necklace will set shoppers back just £12.
The supermarket chain, owned by the American cut-price giant Wal-Mart, began selling jewellery a year ago in 10 stores. The pilot scheme was so successful it is being rolled out in 107 of the firm's 260 shops. It is also selling designer watches from companies such as DKNY and Timberland at low prices, having bought them on the grey market.
According to market analyst Mintel, jewellery is now the fastest-growing retail sector. Between 1995 and 2001, sales rose by 35 per cent to £3bn a year. But some established jewellers are distinctly sniffy. A spokeswoman for Cartier said: "Their success reflects a huge trend in the market at the moment. Asda will be using low-grade gold and cheap diamonds, but the high end where we sell quality, real jewellery is also buoyant."
In Asda's Wembley store the jewellery section is placed in the middle of its George clothing range, but is easily visible from the meat counter.
Ivelana Sveteva, a cleaner in her 20s, came specifically to buy a pair of cubic zirconium earrings for £10 for a party. "I like it here because you can find everything: boots, jewellery, food."
- 1 British tourists 'murdered' in Thailand: Pair's bloodied bodies found naked on Koh Tao beach
- 2 Vivienne Westwood says 'Yes' to Scottish Independence by declaring: 'I hate England'
- 3 Welcome to Cameroon, where drinking Baileys can lead to imprisonment
- 4 Lego breaks out of the toy box and heads for the gallery
- 5 Vogue under fire for 'Big Booty' article
Daniele Watts: Django Unchained actress detained by Los Angeles police after being mistaken for a prostitute
The political class is doing what Hitler couldn’t – destroying Britain
Scottish independence: Nationalist leader Jim Sillars threatens pro-union companies with 'day of reckoning' after independence
Scottish independence: Yes campaign feels the heat as Alex Salmond's NHS claims come under furious attack
£23m Birmingham cycle scheme is attacked by Tory councillor for not catering to the elderly
Salmond accused of laughing off national debt with ‘what are they going to do: invade?’ joke
£400000 Per Annum: The Green Recruitment Company: Job Title: Energy Markets An...
£30000 - £35000 Per Annum Plus excellent benefits: Clearwater People Solutions...
£22000 - £23000 per annum: Randstad Education Bristol: We are currently recrui...
£35000 - £40000 Per Annum: Clearwater People Solutions Ltd: We are currently r...


text:
Jim Bolen wants to help Idahoans get back to work as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the economy and job market.
Bolen, the owner of Play of Light Photographics in Boise, is joining a national effort to create 10,000 complimentary headshots that unemployed Americans can include with their resumes and post to job sites such as LinkedIn.
With more than 200 photographers participating across all 50 states and creating pop-up studios at nearly every Brookfield Properties retail location nationwide, organizers of the nationwide event described it as the largest ever single-day photo initiative.
In Boise, Bolen will be producing the complimentary headshots on Wednesday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Boise Towne Square Mall, which is owned and operated by Brookfield Properties.
The free headshots are open to anyone currently unemployed, but participants are asked to visit HeadshotBooker.com for details and to schedule a time to be photographed. The headshots will be provided to participants on-site through event photo-sharing platform SpotMyPhotos.
"Our community, like so many others, was hit hard by COVID-19 and we were looking for ways to help our neighbors get back on their feet," Bolen said in a statement. "We heard about what Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties were doing across the country and wanted to be a part of it. We are excited and grateful to be able to contribute to such a great initiative."
Brookfield Properties said that safety for all participants is a priority for the event, and each photographer will follow specific protocols to ensure safe distancing and hygiene practices throughout the day.
According to Headshot Booker, the base price for a high quality, professional headshot starts around $250, which equates to more than $2.5 million in collective services these photographers will provide through this initiative.
The 10,000 Headshots project was the brainchild of Tony Taafe, who co-founded Headshot Booker with renowned portrait photographer, Peter Hurley and national event photographer, Lauren Lieberman.
Watch more 'Local News'
See them all in our YouTube playlist:


text:
Jungheinrich was awarded four times in Hanover, for logistics products and solutions in the categories "Warehouse Truck", "Integrated Warehouse Solutions" and "Special of the Year"...
Issued by Jungheinrich South Africa 9 Feb 2018
Find out how to invest in your company's presence on the biggest multi-industry B2B news website in Africa and attract more interest from 328,000 decision-maker audiences across 18 industry sectors...
Issued by Bizcommunity.com 25 Jan 2018
Receive free email newsletter
Tell a friend about us


text:
North’s first Tesla sparking interest
Mr Hazratwala said the vehicle’s speed was restricted to 250km/ h, while its range, at an aver- age speed of 80km/ h, was s about 420km.
For Mr Hazratwala,, who has solar panels on his home, the purchase was driven by his liking g for technology and cars as well as recognition of the need to reduce fossil fuel emissions. “I love technology,” he said. “I was interested in how the technology has been applied to
if not daunt-- somethinghi we use se every day day.
“We have had the combustion engine, and now with the constraints on fossil fuels being a big topic, I think this is the way it’s going to go.”
CURRENT LOVE: Kosh Hazratwala with his Tesla Model S P85, and ( inset), the storage space under the bonnet.


text:
Most Valuable CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina in History
On Thursday the CONMEBOL Women’s Libertadores began. The continent’s most important club tournament reaches new heights this year with the inclusion of five Global Sponsors, two Global Partners and a Local Sponsor, the highest number in the history of the competition.
Amstel, Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Mastercard and Mercado Libre have been confirmed for each edition of the new cycle (2023-2026). This year’s edition will also feature DHL and Powerade as Global Partners. Furthermore, as a result of the relevancy of the competition in the host country, an opportunity arose in the betting category, with BetPlay joining as Local Sponsor. Eight brands that celebrate inclusion and ratify support by consolidating partnerships with the CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina!


text:
With Netflix and the NFL launching a partnership this year, some wonder whether or not it is the initially step toward a package of games for the streaming service.
If so, there are a lot far more methods required ahead of Netflix will be prepared to go.
The lead item of Monday’s Sports Business enterprise Every day focused on Netflix’s reside-streaming fiasco from Sunday evening, for a reunion of the cast of the fourth season of Adore is Blind.
Fans of the show waited and waited and waited for the reside occasion. It by no means occurred. As an alternative, it was taped with a guarantee that it would be posted on Monday at three:00 p.m. ET.
It was supposed to commence at eight:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Initially, it was delayed for 15 minutes. Ultimately, it was scrapped.
As explained by David Goldman of CNN.com, other streaming businesses have effectively streamed reside events, mainly sports. Goldman writes that “Netflix has been notoriously resistant — not due to the fact of technological hurdles, but due to the fact the firm has repeatedly mentioned reside broadcast rights, especially for sports, come at a higher price.”
The price will be even larger when reside events are attempted and aborted. Think about the backlash arising from an NFL game that was to be streamed on Netflix and that then couldn’t be.
Kevin Harrish of AwfulAnnouncing.com place it far more bluntly. “[I]t may well be very a whilst ahead of Netflix is prepared for reside sports,” Harrish writes.
It will be for the NFL to be absolutely confident Netflix is prepared ahead of ever entrusting the streaming of any NFL games to Netflix. This fiasco very possibly will force Netflix to expedite the efforts to iron out the glitches, permitting for sports to be streamed.
Nevertheless, the NFL would be smart to confirm that Netflix can do it ahead of ever providing any believed to letting Netflix attempt to do it with the most crucial reside sporting rights in America.
Study Far more


text:
T-Mobile’s press event is just wrapping up, and probably the most disruptive new move for the Un-carrier was their newly announced “JUMP!” program that essentially allows customers to upgrade their devices twice per year. To help advertise this insanely scrum-diddly-umptious new service, T-Mobile is going to be airing a series of new ad-spots that we think will be a huge hit with consumers. Check out our compilation of short JUMP! commercials below.
- NVIDIA Shield Android TV
- Waze comes pre-installed
- Google+ being split up
- YotaPhone 2 launches this Spring
TAGS: T-Mobile Jump


text:
Consumer confusion over MPPI
This is as a result of the bad press surrounding the recent Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) investigation.
The study polled over 1,500 consumers and more than 250 intermediaries on the impact of the recent PPI investigation and how it is affecting their concerns and perceptions.
Almost half (47 per cent) of all homeowners are aware of the recent investigation into PPI and the current criticism of the product. However, nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) believe the criticism applies to all PPI products, including MPPI. Only 5 per cent of homeowners knew the investigation related to PPI products for credit cards and unsecured loans only.
As a result of this apparent confusion between the products, nearly half (49 per cent) of all homeowners say they are now more cautious about taking out MPPI policies. This experience is being mirrored by intermediaries, with 68 per cent saying consumers are now more reluctant to consider MPPI. Other deterrents for consumers are fear that the policy wouldn’t pay-out if something happened, or that the situation would never arise when they would need cover.
Both intermediaries and consumers agree that intermediaries are the best source to turn to for impartial advice on MPPI, with one in three (32 per cent) consumers saying they would turn to their mortgage adviser. Less than a quarter (24 per cent) would turn to their bank or building society, while 21 per cent would ask their friends or family.
In general, intermediaries seem happy to take on this role of educator, with 37 per cent saying it should be their responsibility to make sure consumers are fully informed and educated about MPPI. They also state that the media (19 per cent) and industry bodies (19 per cent) should take an active part, followed by providers (12 per cent) and banks and building societies (4 per cent).
Chris Traynor, Paymentshield sales and marketing director, said: “It is worrying to see that people are shying away from MPPI as a result of the PPI investigation. Our survey shows that there are real misconceptions amongst consumers about the value and importance of MPPI and people are still confusing it with PPI.
“We believe that MPPI is an appropriate product for at least one in three consumers. However, these statistics are falling woefully short, leaving many people potentially unable to meet their mortgage repayments in the event of unemployment or illness.
“We are, however, reassured by the industry’s enthusiasm to tackle these issues. It is vital that consumers receive proper financial advice when taking out these products and mortgage intermediaries are best placed to do so. This approach is key to ensuring consumers receive the correct levels of advice.”


text:
// B&M posts rise in like-for-like sales in its fourth quarter
// The rise was due to customers shopping in its grocery, DIY & gardening categories during lockdown
B&M has recorded an “exceptionally strong” performance in its fourth quarter as customers flocked to the grocery, DIY and gardening categories during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The discount retailer saw like-for-likes rise by 6.6 per cent in the 13 weeks to March 28, thanks to consumers stocking up on supplies as the pandemic struck the UK.
B&M said revenue growth has continued since the start of its new financial year.
- B&M sells loss-making German fascia Jawoll for £10.8m
- B&M poaches Wilko finance boss Alex Russo as CFO
In the eight weeks to May 23, like-for-like sales in its core UK business surged 22.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, the performance in its DIY and gardening categories offset “a significant fall in customer count” during the period.
Excluding those two categories, B&M’s like-for-likes rose by 10.3 per cent over the eight-week period.
However, B&M warned that the growth in DIY and gardening may represent “significant pull-forward in demand”, driven by warm weather and the lockdown, rather than additional sales.
The retailer added that it is experiencing “higher than normal” operating costs as a result of social distancing measures.
It paid its workers “premium wage rates” during the peak of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, all 49 UK stores that had previously been closed are temporarily open again for business.
“We have encountered exceptionally strong demand in our UK business over recent weeks,” B&M chief executive Simon Arora said.
“Customers have been coming to our stores much less frequently through the lockdown but their average spend has been much higher than normal.
“We have seen a significant bring-forward of demand in some key categories and the remarkably warm spring weather in the UK has been a major factor behind this during recent weeks.
“We are not expecting this current level of trading to continue as normal shopping patterns resume.
“Clearly, there is also considerable uncertainty in relation to both the progression of Covid-19 and the economic outlook and it is therefore hard to predict future trading levels.”
B&M will publish its full-year results on June 11.


text:
Dragon Forge Games in Brainerd Looking Forward To Fully Reopening
As the Governor continues to lift restrictions, area businesses are beginning to see customers return. Dragon Forge Games in downtown Brainerd is looking forward to reopening completely, all while keeping safety as a top priority.
Co-owner Jeremy Arndt moved his business from the Baxter area to downtown Brainerd during the stay-at-home order.
Many businesses that offer a particular service are struggling due to occupancy restrictions. Dragon Forge Games, where gamers get to play and socialize, has seen this firsthand.
Arndt has completed a safety plan with the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce and is looking forward to fully reopening at some point.
Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.


text:
The Xiaomi POCO F1 (review) is a shining example for all manufacturers that a flagship does not need to have an expensive price tag. Riding on the wave of success it enjoyed in India, the POCO F1 is reportedly going to launch in China this month, but with a different model name Xiaomi Play.
The popularity of the affordable flagship has also allowed Xiaomi’s sub-brand to engage in the Indian market in different ways like this new venture called the POCO Game Development Academy. This latest idea is where you’ll be able to design a game within a small team, which in turn can open up a pool of opportunities for a lot of talent in India.
Hone Your Skills in the POCO Game Development Academy
The POCO GDA (Game Development Academy) is actively searching for Android game developers and designers. The POCO GDA will pair these individuals in teams and provide them with resources necessary to create a compelling game. Obviously, you’ll need to have some beginner-level experience in Android gaming and design development to participate.
After the team has successfully made the game, POCO will use the influence of its brand name to market it and provide credits to the developer on multiple platforms, including social media. A certificate of recognition will be given and if you impress thoroughly, you’ll get the opportunity to be shortlisted for a job interview at Xiaomi India.
Based on your commitment towards the project, you will receive Xiaomi devices or accessories in the form of freebies. POCO will also give you access to game development courses at e-learning portals such as Udemy and Coursera. If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, you can sign up here.
POCO F1 as the Xiaomi Play in China?
A tipster on Weibo claims that Xiaomi is planning to release a new series of devices in China which will be introduced under the Xiaomi Play lineup. The smartphone is expected to launch on December 24. Based on speculations, it is believed that the smartphone is going to be a re-branded POCO F1.
The word ‘Play’ clearly emphasizes on the upcoming phone’s gaming performance. Xiaomi already has a capable gaming phone in its kitty, the POCO F1. It features a Snapdragon 845 chipset and a large 4000mAh battery. Some teardown experts have confirmed the presence of extensive cooling solution to keep those temperatures in check during the intense gaming sessions.
Moreover, POCO F1’s surge in popularity could also be a reason enough for Xiaomi to sell it to Chinese customers demanding a flagship without spending a fortune. The company has sold over 700,000 POCO F1 units in just three months, showing the device has potential to be a top-seller in other markets, including China, which is the world’s largest smartphone market in terms of volume.
Xiaomi is yet to make an official announcement. To find out what’s in the store for company’s home crowd, we will have to wait till December 24. For mobile gamers in India who spend hours in PUBG, the POCO F1 remains the most affordable gaming smartphone in the market. If you are planning to buy one, be sure to check out our video review below. For those who don’t mind shelling out a lot of money, check out the monstrously powerful ROG phone from ASUS that costs Rs 70,000.


text:
Polestar expands UK service network
- Posted by: Alan Feldberg
- Category: News
Polestar has added 100 service points to its UK network.
The EV-capable sites offer maintenance or repairs, with up to three parts deliveries a day.
Head of Polestar UK, Jonathan Goodman, said: “With our strategic connection to Volvo Cars, we have enabled access to their service network which means that Polestar owners benefit from the Volvo service footprint all over the UK.
“Our roots are growing ever deeper in the UK, with Polestar Spaces in London Westfield and the Trafford Centre. We have also recently opened a Milton Keynes test drive location, and more will follow in Daventry, Cambridge, Harrogate and elsewhere during the summer.
“Now, we can add Polestar service points from Inverness to Truro, from Belfast to Canterbury and from Aberaeron to Norwich. Actions speak louder than words, and what we are doing demonstrates the importance of the UK market to Polestar.”


text:
Lenovo K4 Note with the fingerprint sensor, 3GB RAM to launch on January 5 in India
Lenovo K4 Note, the successor of the Chinese smartphone company’s highly successful Lenovo K3 Note smartphone, will launch in India on January 5, 2016.
The Lenovo K3 Note has been the most promising and the company’s best-selling phone in the recent times. The Lenovo K3 Note went on sale for the first time in July 2015 exclusively on Flipkart. Almost six months later, Lenovo will launch its successor – the Lenovo K4 Note. Lenovo is launching its latest Lenovo K4 India first, before anywhere else. The Chinese smartphone company has been putting out teasers for the new smartphone.
Lenovo has officially posted a teaser on Twitter, confirming that the Lenovo K4 Note will get 3GB RAM up from the 2GB in the previous version. “More than 99% of you preferred 3 GB RAM in the #KillerNote2016 & that’s what you’ll get! Get ready for the RAMpage!”, in a tweet from the company.
Teasers shared earlier hinted at a metallic frame along with a fingerprint scanner. It is also said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X10 processor. It is expected to boast 32GB of internal storage and the handset is likely to retain the 5.5-inch display size and full-HD (1080×1920 pixel) screen resolution. If Lenovo can price the K4 Note below Rs 10,000, just like its predecessor, the Lenovo K4 Note will also be a sure-shot hit.


text:
* Sees 2013/14 EBIT before items at 1.75 bln euros
* Had previously forecast marked improvement from 1.7 bln
* Q1 EBIT before items 1.07 bln euros vs poll 1.08 bln
* Aims to improve profits at Media-Saturn
* Shares down 1.5 pct
By Emma Thomasson and Matthias Inverardi
BERLIN/DUESSELDORF, Feb 11 (Reuters) - German retailer Metro AG reined in full-year profit expectations on Tuesday after a dip in first-quarter earnings, largely due to lower real-estate income and the strong euro.
Europe’s No. 4 retailer said on Tuesday it expected more stable economic conditions and exchange rates to lift earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) before special items to about 1.75 billion euros ($2.4 billion) for its 2013/14 fiscal year.
However, it had previously said earnings should “markedly exceed” a comparative level of 1.7 billion euros from 2012/13.
“Management guidance for FY 2013/14 is slightly below market expectations, which could cause some (share) price pressure in the short term,” said DZ Bank analyst Herbert Sturm.
Metro shares, which trade at 16 times forward earnings - a slight discount to Europe’s biggest retailer Carrefour - were down 1.5 percent at 0825 GMT, underperforming a 0.8 percent rise in the European retail index.
Metro’s EBIT before special items fell 16 percent to 1.07 billion euros for the three months through December, just shy of an average analyst forecast for 1.08 billion.
The firm, a sprawling group with 2,200 stores in 32 countries which is in the midst of trimming its portfolio and cutting costs, said the fall was due to the lack of income from real estate sales, which boosted last year’s results, as well as the sale of its Real supermarkets in eastern Europe.
Profits were also dented by a strong euro and lower earnings at its Media-Saturn consumer electronics chain, which has been struggling from online competition and saw EBIT before special items fall to 289 million euros from 332 million.
Metro said it would seek to improve profitability at Media-Saturn, the world’s second biggest consumer electronics group after Best Buy Co, by further reducing stock levels, improving purchasing processes and cutting costs.
Chief Executive Olaf Koch told journalists the group’s performance in the Christmas quarter - when it makes more than half of its profits - laid a “solid foundation” for the group to pay out a dividend again after it shocked investors last year by scrapping a payout.
Metro shares have been supported in recent months by Metro’s plan to float its Russian wholesale business, with the London listing expected around Easter, two people familiar with the plans told Reuters last week.
The company, which also runs cash and carries and department stores, reiterated it expects to see a slight rise in sales in local currencies this financial year.


text:
Engine nets Amira launch campaign
Amira Group, India's largest privately owned rice company, has appointed Engine to handle a multi-million-pound campaign to launch the brand in the UK.
Amira: multimillion-pound launch campaign will break in early 2013
Engine won the business after a pitch. Partners Andrews Aldridge will lead the account, working alongside its sister Engine shops Engine Strategy and Mischief.
The campaign, which will break at the beginning of 2013, is likely to include TV, press, online, PR, social media and in-store work.
Amira, which is set to rival brands such as Tilda, will introduce a range of premium products that will be sold in major UK retailers.
The UK launch comes as the company looks to extend its presence from 25 markets, including the US, South Africa and Singapore, to 50 in the next five years.
Rob Mesure, the president of Amira in Europe, said: "Engine match the aspiration of the Amira Group and we are proud to welcome their expertise and commitment."Follow @SaraKimberley
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Data Journalist PRISM Highly Competitive, London
- Head of New Media Department for Work and Pensions Salary £60,030 to £72,880., Westminster
- Shopper Insights Manager PepsiCo negotiable, Theale
- CMI Director Ball & Hoolahan £95,000 + Car/Car Allowance , London (Central), London (Greater)
- Senior Brand Manager Diageo Great reward package for great talent, Amsterdam / Dublin / Madrid / London (Greater)
- Assistant Marketing Strategy Manager Thorntons £Competitive + Benefits, Alfreton, Derbyshire


text:
A federal court has shut down a Houston debt collector accused of using insults, lies, and phony threats to collect on payday loans.
In one case, the company -- Goldman Schwartz -- told a Virginia woman that she would be arrested and jailed for three years, and would lose her disability payments if she did not pay a $980 debt.
The court also froze the operation's assets, banned the defendants from engaging in debt collection, and appointed a receiver to take control of the business while the FTC moves forward with the case.
The firm's debt collectors also allegedly told some consumers their minor children would be taken into government custody; disclosed debts to family members and military superiors; falsely claimed to work hand-in-hand with local sheriff’s offices; and collected bogus late fees and attorneys’ fees, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged.
Goldman Schwartz did business nationwide collecting debts for numerous payday loan companies, including Ace Cash Express, Advance America, Allied Cash Advance, Checkmate, First Cash Advance, and MoneyMart.
The complaint charges the defendants with multiple violations of the FTC Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including:
- falsely representing that Goldman Schwartz is a law firm and owner Gerald Wright is an attorney named Barry Schwartz.
- falsely claiming that consumers have committed crimes by not paying their debts, will be arrested or jailed, and will lose custody of their minor children.
- falsely claiming to be affiliated with or work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies.
- harassing and abusing consumers by using obscene or profane language, calling repeatedly or continuously, and calling late in the evening or early in the morning.
- adding unauthorized late fees and attorney’s fees to the amount consumers owe on their debts, and
- failing to inform consumers of their rights to dispute the debts, have the debts verified, and obtain the names of the original creditors.


text:
The startup has partnered with Verizon (which owns TechCrunch) to launch a new product called AppFlash. Like Evie’s existing app launcher, AppFlash helps users find content and services across different apps — and Evie is working with Verizon to make this the default experience on customers’ Android devices, popping up whenever they swipe to the left of their home screen.
Using AppFlash, you can search or browse through listings of restaurants, movies, music and apps. Then, once you find what you’re looking for, you can jump into a specific app.
So if you’re looking for a specific movie or TV show, you don’t have to open each of your streaming video apps individually — you can just find it in AppFlash, then tap to watch in the correct service. Or you can look at restaurant listings in AppFlash, then open up one app to get detailed information, or another to make a reservation.
AppFlash also offers universal search across all your apps, and it suggests apps that you might want to open or download. Co-founder and CEO David Zhao said these recommendations take advantage of Evie’s “structured understanding of the content inside of apps” and are based on both context and user behavior.
Plus, the product uses app virtualization technology developed during the company’s previous incarnation as Voxel (which launched at TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield in 2013). So if someone decides to try out one of the recommended apps, they can play with it for up to a minute without having to download it first, and with no data charges.
Zhao said that while the Evie launcher has been installed more than 1 million times and has been used for 500 million app launches, by working with Verizon to deliver this experience right next to the home screen, Evie is creating “the lowest friction way of complementing existing experiences,” rather than “trying to change the entire experience on the phone.”
T.J. Vitolo, a director of product management at Verizon, added that his priority was making sure AppFlash was something that could be used by a mass audience, for whom this can serve as a way to “drive discovery for lots of services they’re not familiar with.” For more tech-savvy users, he said AppFlash could still be useful as a way to “string together logical app engagements … rather than bouncing from different apps.”
“Ninety percent of our smartphone users love their smartphone and love to get things done — they just want to know how to get them done simpler and easier,” Vitolo said.
The service will be rolling out across Verizon Android devices in the coming weeks. Zhao said AppFlash is the Verizon-branded version of a new Evie product Sidescreen, which could eventually be offered by other mobile carriers.
“We have no contractual exclusivity with Verizon, but they are our first and most important partner,” he added. “We are committed to making this work with Verizon first before other carrier/OEM partners.”
Update, March 31: The Electronic Frontier Foundation argues that this could compromise customers’ security and privacy, partly because of the information collected for ad targeting, but mostly because of “the increased attack surface an app like AppFlash creates.”
“You can bet that with Verizon rolling this app out to such a large number of devices, hackers will be probing it for vulnerabilities, to see if they can use it as a backdoor they can break into,” the EFF writes.
Update, April 3: To add some context here, Zhao initially told me that AppFlash would be “distributed as a default experience on all Verizon Android devices.” However, I did not ask him for more details or confirm this with Verizon — which was sloppy on my part, and I apologize.
In a follow-up email, Zhao told me:
We didn’t quite expect the media to call the app spyware, which is misleading. Unfortunately, folks jumped to conclusions, given the timing of roll back of privacy laws. Our launch is not at all related to the timing of the privacy laws. We value the users privacy and seek the their explicit consent before the app is enabled.On the deployment plan itself, my apologies if I wasn’t clear on the rollout. Our intent with Verizon is to deploy across their entire Android lineup over time.The app will be distributed only on new devices. Existing devices will not have AppFlash automatically installed. LG K20 V, which went on sale last week, will be the first device it’s shipped on.
I also reached out to Crummey, who repeated her previous statement and added, “There is no agreement at this time to expand AppFlash across our portfolio of devices.”